At the time of their first self-titled EP, in 1980, the band changed their name to Red Cross, which was allegedly inspired by the masturbation scene in the film, The Exorcist. Ron Reyes became the drummer. Eventually, Hetson left to join the Circle Jerks (and later Bad Religion) and Reyes left for Black Flag. Keller left to join Trixie and the Doorknobs as its guitarist and singer. To complete the lineup on their first full-length album, Born Innocent, they assembled a revolving door of musicians including original drummer John Stielow and drummer Janet Housden. Full of the brothers' pop culture obsessions, Born Innocent featured odes to Linda Blair (who starred in a television movie of the same name), a cover of "Look On Up At The Bottom" by the Carrie Nations from Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, and Charles Manson (whose song "Cease to Exist" they covered). The album also contains nods to Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, Tatum O'Neal, and Lita Ford. Not long after the release of the album, the group was threatened with a lawsuit from the International Red Cross and changed their name to Redd Kross, allegedly being inspired by Redd Foxx.
In 1984, Redd Kross returned with drummer Dave Peterson to record Teen Babes from Monsanto, an album featuring songs originally by such artists as KISS, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, and The Shangri-Las.
In 1984, lead guitarist Robert Hecker joined the band, as Redd Kross embarked on tour in support of Teen Babes from Monsanto.
In that same year, they were featured on the soundtrack of Desperate Teenage Lovedolls with their cover of the Brady Bunch Kids' "It's a Sunshine Day". Jeff and Steve appear in the movie, along with Robert in the sequel Lovedolls Superstar which the brothers co-wrote with Dave Markey and Jennifer Schwartz. Both movies are available now on DVD.
In 1985, drummer Roy McDonald (formerly of The Things, and no relation to the brothers) joined the band.
In 1987, Redd Kross released Neurotica, an album reportedly influenced by Saturday morning cartoons and breakfast cereal (one of the songs was called "Frosted Flake"). Although the album itself was successful, the band's label, Big Time Records folded. The band continued to tour during these years however, and in 1988, drummer Victor Indrizzo joined the band.
On February 20, 1990, Redd Kross appeared on Episode 2 of the cult Public-access television show "Decoupage" with Summer Caprice.
In 1990, Redd Kross signed with Atlantic Records, releasing Third Eye, and appeared with David Cassidy in the film Spirit of '76, and issued several singles, including "Annie's Gone", which had some mild success on college radio. Former Red Hot Chili Peppers / future Pearl Jam drummer Jack Irons joined for the Third Eye tours, and appears in the promotional video for "Annie's Gone", which saw some light rotation on MTV. Brian Reitzell succeeded Irons as drummer in the band, and appears in the promotional video for "1976".
In 1991, Robert Hecker took leave from the band.
The album Phaseshifter was released in 1993, with new band members Eddie Kurdziel, Gere Fennelly, and Brian Reitzell. The videos for "Jimmy's Fantasy" and "Lady In The Front Row" were both shown on MTV's 120 Minutes. They toured on Phaseshifter for over a year, headling their own shows as well as tours supporting The Lemonheads and The Spin Doctors in late 1993 and Stone Temple Pilots in 1994. In 1995, Jeff and his wife, Charlotte Caffey (from The Go-Go's), had a daughter, named Astrid.
In 1997, Redd Kross released Show World, produced by Chris Shaw (who also produced albums for Weezer and Soul Asylum) and toured supporting The Presidents of the United States of America. The band took an indefinite hiatus after the Show World tour, and their future was uncertain after the untimely death of guitarist Eddie Kurdziel on June 6, 1999.
On July 1, 2006, Redd Kross returned to the live stage after almost a decade's absence. The Neurotica-era line up of Jeff McDonald, Steven McDonald, Robert Hecker and Roy McDonald performed a career-spanning set at the REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/Cal Arts Theater) at Disney Hall in Los Angeles. The band has subsequently gone on to play at the Azkena Festival in Spain, the Detour Festival in Los Angeles, give a performance of their entire first EP in honor of Rodney Bingenheimer's being awarded a star on Hollywood Boulevard, and a set consisting of the entire Born Innocent album opening for Sonic Youth (who performed Daydream Nation) at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles. They toured Spain and England in January, 2007. They have played a number of one-off shows including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. In 2008 they played the Coachella Festival in Coachella, California; ATP vs Pitchfork festival in Sussex, England; and NXNE Festival in Toronto, Ontario. In 2010, Redd Kross headlined the Turbo Rock Festival in Spain. In 2011 they headlined the POP Montreal Festival.
Redd Kross will tour Australia again as part of the Hoodoo Gurus' 30th Anniversary on the "Dig It Up" Festival concert series.
The band released "Researching the Blues" in 2012.
Warm It Up
Redd Kross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey uh, listen to them
Warm it up Kris I'm about to
Warm it up Kris cause that's what I was born to do
Warm it up Kris I'm about to
Warm it up Kris cause that's what I was born to do
I'm kicking the type of flow that makes you say 'You're too much
Kris'
So feel the fire of the one they call the Mac Dad
The fire's what I pack and what I pack is real bad
I'd like to grab a hold of your soul and never let go
Never 'til they jump, 'til they say Hoooo
Now that's the state of mind I'm in huh...
With rhyme after rhyme I win
The Mac The Mac
Nuff for breakin' 'em off somethin'
They layin' in the back and front
Keepin' the speakers pumpin'
The miggida miggida miggida Mac came to get a warm
And my pants to the back that's my everyday uniform
You little cream puff Mac Daddy wannabe
Keep dreaming cause the Mac you will never be
So all y'all with the Dr. Seuss riddles
You can get the finger... the middle
Warm it up Kris I'm about to
Warm it up Kris cause that's what I was born to do
Warm it up Kris I'm about to
Warm it up Kris
Hey, yo Kris kick it first
You know it's sto it's sto
Peepin at my rhymes it's dope it's dope
And for you there's know call my name what?
The Daddy Mac, baby, Totally Krossed Out
Catchin' all the ladies
The age I be I should be playin with toys
Instead I put my hand into make you make noise
That's how I kick it that's my everyday life and
I rehearse to keep it sharp as a knife, man
I'm the wrong brotha that sucks to be messin' with
Cause when I put the mic in my hand I start wreckin' it
They call me the D-A-double D-Y-M-A-C
And there ain't another brotha bad as me
When I let go
Somethin' from the ghetto
Word, a little brother kickin' rhymes like you never ever heard
Daddy of them all shootin to kill like a gun
Showin' suckas how it's done
Warm it up Kris I'm about to
Warm it up Kris cause that's what I was born to do (repeat 3
times)
Yea, now you all know
What's up?
And the Mac to all that
Yea. we gonna kick one more verse for you all
So many times I heard you rhyme but you can't touch this
I'm kicking the type of flow that makes you say 'You're too much
Kris'
So feel the fire of the one they call the Mac Dad
The fire's what I pack and what I pack is real bad
I'd like to grab a hold of your soul and never let go
Never 'til they jump, 'til they say Hoooo
Now that's the state of mind I'm in huh...
With rhyme after rhyme I win
I'm the wrong brotha that sucks to be messin' with
Cause when I put the mic in my hand I start wreckin' it
They call me the D-A-double D-Y-M-A-C
And there ain't another brotha bad as me
When I let go
Somethin' from the ghetto
Word, a little brother kickin' rhymes like you never ever heard
Daddy of them all shootin to kill like a gun
Kris Kross show 'em how it's done
Warm it up Kris I'm about to
Warm it up Kris cause that's what I was born to do (repeat 6
times)
Warm it up Kris (repeat 13 times)
The song "Warm It Up" by Redd Kross is an ode to the hip-hop group Kris Kross, specifically to member Chris Smith (aka Daddy Mac). The opening lyrics, "Warm it up Kris, I'm about to / Warm it up Kris 'cause that's what I was born to do" are a direct reference to Kris Kross's hit single "Jump," which begins with the same phrase. The song is essentially a tribute to the skills and charisma of Kris Kross, with Redd Kross proclaiming their love and admiration for the group and their music.
As the song progresses, Redd Kross makes it clear that they see themselves as kindred spirits to Kris Kross, trailblazers in the world of hip-hop who are unafraid to push boundaries and take risks. They boast about their lyrical abilities and their ability to "make you say 'You're too much Kris,'" while also acknowledging that there are plenty of other rappers out there who pretend to be like Kris Kross but could never measure up. In essence, "Warm It Up" is a celebration of the unique talents and energy that Kris Kross brought to the world of hip-hop, and a reminder that their influence is still felt to this day.
Interestingly, despite the fact that "Warm It Up" is essentially a tribute to Kris Kross, the song never actually mentions the group by name, instead referring to them as "the Mac Dad" and "the Daddy of them all." This may have been a deliberate choice by Redd Kross, who may have wanted to avoid sounding too derivative or sycophantic.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh, well, this is how nice and smooth it is
Introducing the smoothness and confidence about to unfold in this song.
Hey uh, listen to them
Requesting listeners to pay attention to the following lyrics.
Warm it up Kris I'm about to
Asking Kris Kross to start the music and set the tone.
Warm it up Kris cause that's what I was born to do
Affirming that his innate passion and talent is to warm up the audience.
So many times I heard you rhyme but you can't touch this
Acknowledging the existence of other rappers but asserting his own superiority.
I'm kicking the type of flow that makes you say 'You're too much Kris'
Boasting his lyrical style that garners praise and recognition for Kris Kross.
So feel the fire of the one they call the Mac Dad
Implying his powerful presence and ability to ignite passion in the audience.
The fire's what I pack and what I pack is real bad
Maintaining the intensity of his lyrics which are purposely aggressive and edgy.
I'd like to grab a hold of your soul and never let go
Expressing his desire to captivate the audience and maintain their attention throughout the performance.
Never 'til they jump, 'til they say Hoooo
Asking his fans to demonstrate their enthusiasm and energy by jumping and shouting.
Now that's the state of mind I'm in huh...
Describing his current mindset, which is full of confidence and determination to succeed.
With rhyme after rhyme I win
Stating that his lyrics are superior to the competition and secure his win.
The Mac The Mac
Referring to himself in the third person as 'The Mac.'
Nuff for breakin' 'em off somethin'
Implying that his lyrics and style are enough to satisfy the audience's desire for quality music.
They layin' in the back and front
Describing how his fans are fully engaged and captivated by his music and lyrics.
Keepin' the speakers pumpin'
Asserting that his music keeps the audience engaged, happy and enthusiastic.
The miggida miggida miggida Mac came to get a warm
Referring to himself as 'The Mac' whose primary purpose is to warm up the audience.
And my pants to the back that's my everyday uniform
Describing his typical style, which includes wearing his pants backwards.
You little cream puff Mac Daddy wannabe
Mocking other rappers who try to emulate his style or match his talent.
Keep dreaming cause the Mac you will never be
Asserting that no one can imitate or surpass his level of skill and talent.
So all y'all with the Dr. Seuss riddles
Referring to other rappers whose lyrics he perceives to be childish or meaningless.
You can get the finger... the middle
Insulting other rappers and telling them to get lost.
Hey, yo Kris kick it first
Asking Kris Kross to start the music and commence the performance.
You know it's sto it's sto
Expressing excitement and positivity in anticipation of the performance.
Peepin at my rhymes it's dope it's dope
Describing the high-quality of his lyrics and the audience's positive reaction.
And for you there's know call my name what?
Challenging other rappers to compete with his level of talent.
The Daddy Mac, baby, Totally Krossed Out
Referring to himself, the member of Kris Kross, and their first album, Totally Krossed Out.
Catchin' all the ladies
Implying that his lyrical talent and style attracts many female fans.
The age I be I should be playin with toys
Acknowledging that his success at a young age is unexpected and should not be taken for granted.
Instead I put my hand into make you make noise
Describing his passion to perform and the audience's enthusiastic reaction to his performances.
That's how I kick it that's my everyday life and
Making music, writing lyrics, and performing is his passion and profession.
I rehearse to keep it sharp as a knife, man
Dedicated to perfect his craft and maintain the quality of his music and lyrics.
I'm the wrong brotha that sucks to be messin' with
Warning other rappers who dare to compete with his level of talent.
Cause when I put the mic in my hand I start wreckin' it
Confidently asserting his ability to deliver the best performance and win over his audience.
They call me the D-A-double D-Y-M-A-C
Referring to himself as 'The Mac Daddy,' a nickname that emphasizes his status and success as a rapper.
And there ain't another brotha bad as me
Reinforcing his status as the best rapper.
When I let go
Describing when he starts to perform and deliver his lyrics and music.
Somethin' from the ghetto
Embracing his background and identity as a person from the ghetto.
Word, a little brother kickin' rhymes like you never ever heard
Implying that his style and talent are unique and groundbreaking.
Daddy of them all shootin to kill like a gun
Describing himself as the 'Daddy' of all rappers who aims to deliver the best performance and win over his audience.
Showin' suckas how it's done
Confidently asserting his superior talent and ability to deliver the best performance.
Yea, now you all know
Confirming that the audience now knows his level of talent and superiority over other rappers.
What's up?
Asking the audience how they feel about the performance and his lyrics.
And the Mac to all that
Referring to himself as 'The Mac' and acknowledging the audience's positive reaction to his performance.
Yea. we gonna kick one more verse for you all
Promising to deliver another impressive and unforgettable performance for the audience.
Warm it up Kris (repeat 13 times)
Repeating his request for Kris Kross to start the music and warm up the audience.
Writer(s): Lawrence Krsone Parker, Antoinette Colandreo, Jermaine Dupri
Contributed by Colton K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.